Friday, May 9, 2014

Taking the Time to Think Right

Something I realized yesterday (with the help of my husband) after several days of struggling with a variety of negative emotions, is that I was not thinking right. In the middle of our conversation I realized that one of the reasons I wasn't thinking right was because I wasn't taking the time.

Negative thinking comes in an instant. It really doesn't take much time to begin a wrong line of thinking. It takes one negative thought triggered by the smallest event. It takes us looking at something from our own perspective which has already been skewed that day. It takes us reacting negatively one time and letting it become a habit. It just takes a moment

Right thinking takes time. It takes stopping. It takes going where it is quiet and perhaps listening to some God-honoring music. It takes quietly reading your Bible or meditating on those verses that you know so well. It takes focus. This time thing is not easy to come by. Whether you have kids with no major issues or a child with special needs, time is still hard to find some days. It is there though. There is always time to refocus your thinking. It might be the time you usually take to do something else you enjoy, but it will be worth it to take even five minutes to refocus your thinking. You might need to take five minutes five times a day, but it will keep you from the dangerous cycle of negativity.

Negative thinking becomes easier and right thinking more difficult when you are facing problems that are not resolved. When you have ongoing stress or physical problems, it is even harder to refocus. Negative thinking can lead to physical problems, mental issues, and it can hurt your relationships. Focus on what Philippians 4:8 says, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."